The Absolute Best Photos From This Year’s Imperial Beach Surf Dog Competition

Daren Fentiman

Surf’s up, pups!

By
Mary Tomlinson

Dogs playing on the beach are already adorable—digging in the sand like crazy, splashing in the waves, shaking out their fur the second you dry off (sigh). But dogs surfing, tongues out, riding waves like a furry Blue Crush extra? This is some next level adorableness.

The Imperial Beach Surf Dog Competition, now in its 13th year, showcased around 60 wave-catching canines on the beach just south of San Diego. The pups took on 2- to 4-foot waves, either on their own, alongside another dog, or with their owner.

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“We saw one dog named Sugar ride the longest wave we’ve ever seen from outside to the whitewater!” says Lisa Scolman from Surf Dog Events.

Professional surf judges rate the rides on the dogs’ confidence on the board, the length of the ride, whether they ride straight down the wave, and based on any tricks they may do, Scolman says. Needless to say, we’re impressed.

All the funds raised from the event went to the San Diego Humane Society, making for a day of adorable watersports and giving back.